[EXPIRED]Dismal Swamp Canal Slated to Re-Open by End of Summer, AICW Alternate Route
Dismal Swamp Canal has been closed to navigation due to massive flooding and shoaling due to Hurricane Matthew. Despite the canal’s closure, the State Park has continued public programs as weather has permitted. The re-opening of the canal is good news for cruisers wanting to experience the beauty and solitude of the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. Our thanks to Donna Stewart for forwarding this notice.
Subject: Corps announces timeline to reopen Dismal Swamp Canal
NORFOLK, Va. — Officials at the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced a goal of opening the Dismal Swamp Canal to its full 6-foot depth late this summer.
The canal, which was closed due to extensive damage from Hurricane Matthew in October, has ongoing debris and tree removal, and investigations of shoaling at many locations in the canal. Shoaling in the canal has reduced the depth to as little as 1 foot in areas.
Norfolk District engineers are using recent surveys of the canal to plot the 22 miles of the canal and the 3 miles of the Feeder Ditch to Lake Drummond. The data will be used to check for additional shoals and other obstructions.
Crews are currently dredging the canal at the Feeder Ditch using information from the canal survey. They will then perform additional dredging at Turners Cut, south of the South Mills Lock.
The Norfolk District is also working with the Wilmington District to remove a small shoal in the Deep Creek Channel. District engineers project the canal work at the Feeder Ditch work to take the longest; work there will be complete by late-June.
After canal repairs are completed, District engineers will evaluate whether to open the canal at a restricted depth until the 6-foot depth is achieved.
At Lake Drummond Reservation and the Feeder Ditch, crews have repaired damaged buildings. Additional work at Lake Drummond Reservation included repairs on the floating docks, roadway washout and the boat tram, which will be scheduled this winter.
Work on the Deep Creek Locks gates, which was scheduled before the storm, is progressing. Work on replacing the water control valves and deteriorated steel is ongoing and will be completed within the next week. Final work and painting will then be done and the gates will be placed back into the lock in June.
Kerry L. Solan
Public Affairs
Norfolk District, USACE
Desk 757-201-7258
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone – 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
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